Rockchip has posted a tweet about smart speakers, specifically about Midea AI speaker based on Rockchip RK3229, but the second image is what caught my eyes, as it reveals two new Arm Cortex A35 processor designed for “Smart AI solutions”, namely RK3308 and “Gemini” Processor.
Rockchip RK3308 “mainstream” processor specifications:
- CPU – Quad core Cortex A35 processor
- GPU – TBD (maybe none?)
- Audio
- Integrated 8-ch ADC and hardware VAD (Voice Activity Detection) module
- Multi-channel PDM/I2S/TDM audio interface
Rockchip Gemini “high-end” processor specifications:
- CPU – Quad core Cortex A35 processor
- GPU – Mali Dvalin MP2 GPU
- Audio – “high-end smart audio solution”; multi-channel PDM/I2S/TDM audio interface
- Video I/O – LCD screen & camera support
Rockchip will provide support for Android Thing and Linux for the processors, as well as integration with MIC arrays boards and popular voice services such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Baidu DuerOS, and others. Arm Cortex A35 64-bit processor was unveiled in 2015 as a replacement for Cortex A7 with slightly lower power consumption, and better performance, but so far we have not seen it in many SoCs, especially standalone, one exception being NXP i.MX 8X.
None of the new processors have a product page for now, so details are limited, but it appears RK3308 looks better suited for “headless” speakers, while Gemini processor may be targeting smart displays instead. It’s also the second time we can read about the mysterious Mali Dvalin GPU, as we first found it in the upcoming Amlogic S905X2 processor.
Via AndroidPC.es
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Nice, looking to hear more on RK3308 and Gemini. I filmed this video about their RK3229/RK3036 Android Things Smart Speakers solutions that they presented recently here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxmFdmg7Cno
Gemini is RK3326
@Coldfish
Oh good, then we know a tiny bit more details about it: https://www.cnx-software.com/2017/04/19/rockchip-introduces-three-tablet-socs-rk3126c-rk3326-rk3366-and-rk3368h-processor-for-2-in-1-laptops/
I wonder why they called it Gemini since they already announced RK3326 before.
Can’t recall exactly which one but Acer has a tablet out with quad A35 Mediatek MT8167B.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
I know its a shot in the dark, but in regards to Mali Dvalin MP2, with it also being in Cortex S905X2 (Which has a Mali 450 part), wouldn’t it be the Mali G31 MP2 instead? – https://www.cnx-software.com/2018/03/06/arm-introduces-mali-g52-mali-g31-gpus-mali-d51-display-processor-and-mali-v52-video-processor-for-mainstream-devices/
It only supports up to 2 cores and it is deliberately focussed on replacing the Mali 400 (and 450) parts.
It seems to me that Dvalin is an as of yet unannounced code name for Mali G31.
@Redneckerz
EDIT: I just now see that Gemini is a high end part. Perhaps G52 MP2? Usually Rockchip is not aiming for the highest end GPU when they create their ”high end” SoC.
Gemini GPU confirms is G31 MP2.